Method for eliminating error in tonometric measurements

A tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure of an eye, said tonometer comprising:

• means for applying force to a cornea of said eye to transfigure said cornea;
• me as for detecting a two-dimensional data point comprising a first dimension datum at least partially dependent on a force necessary to cause said transfiguration and a second dimension datum dependent upon physical properties of said cornea;
• and
• processing means for evaluating said data point to determine a degree of difference of said measured first dimension datum from normality.

A tonometry method comprising the steps of:

• (A) transfiguring a cornea of a subject eye of a patient by applying force to said cornea, said applied force increasing as a first function of time, and detecting a first value corresponding to a first force at which a predetermined state of corneal transfiguration occurs;
• (B) transfiguring said cornea by applying force to said cornea, said applied force changing as a second function of time differing from said first function of time, and detecting a second value corresponding to a second force at which said predetermined state of corneal transfiguration occurs;
• (C) deriving a two-dimensional measurement data point from said first value and said second value, said two-dimensional measurement data point comprising a first dimension datum dependent on a force necessary to achieve said predetermined state of corneal transfiguration and a second dimension datum dependent on physical properties of said cornea;
• (D) providing a predetermined normal functional relationship between said first dimension datum and said second dimension datum,
• (E) comparing said two-dimensional measurement data point for said subject eye with said predetermined normal functional relationship to determine a degree of difference of said first dimension datum from normality;
• and
• (F) reporting said degree of difference.